Stars have reportedly 'emerged as a front runner' for Erik Karlsson; Senators 'focusing' on Miro Heiskanen in possible deal

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 08: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators skates the puck against the Dallas Stars in the first period at American Airlines Center on March 8, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last week Elliotte Friedman casually floated that he thought the Dallas Stars were a stealth team in the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes. A source shot that down, but it appears that has changed in the wake of John Tavares spurning the Stars to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Stars are definitely interested in Karlsson now from information I've been told and multiple reports. The newest report is interesting to say the least.

NHL source tells The Athletic he thinks Dallas has emerged as front runner for Karlsson and Bobby Ryan will not be part of the deal. No other details.

Talks on going between Dallas and Senators ... Senators focusing on Miro Heiskanen third overall to Dallas last year, one source suggested. Dallas would rather give up Julius Honka, 14th overall in 2014. Played 42 games with Stars last season. Stay tuned.

Update: per NHL Source: “No trade discussions happening now because Isles aren’t a team Karlsson interested in signing with. He’s willing to go to Vegas, Dallas, and TB” aka dead unless EK can be convinced to come to Long Island #isles

The Karlsson note is interesting, but the Bobby Ryan note is key. Absorbing his salary would be a pain for the Stars. I've heard that Ryan would not be part of the deal from others too so it sounds like the Stars could be avoiding that albatross entirely. Adding Karlsson for just the one season puts the Stars close to or slightly above the salary cap depending on the pieces dealt. Ryan complicates matters needlessly.

And the pieces will be significant. Dallas would need to pay a significant package to get Karlsson. It stands to reason that the price is going to involve a first-round pick, other picks, and prospects in some arrangement.

Good scoop by CJ. FWIW two NHL sources told me Dallas was close to landing Karlsson as well. Deal would be centred on prospects/picks. Devin Shore the only roster player mentioned. Bobby Ryan not part of it. Can the Sens get Heiskanen? One source said no. https://t.co/peRBrZsJ6B

The other issue is a contract extension. Karlsson has one year remaining on his deal paying him $6.5 million. He's going to be getting Drew Doughty money at the least starting next year [Doughty signed an eight-year, $88 million deal recently] . The Stars will need to hammer out an extension to make any cost worthwhile. Ottawa offered him one recently, but it was a lowball offer.

The @Senators offered Erik Karlsson an 8 year contract extension for $10M per season. Now they are in serious trade talks with multiple teams highly interested. #NHLNews

That's almost insulting to be honest. Karlsson is the top defenseman in the game, and one of the best in the history of the league. Paying him less than Drew Doughty, who just signed his extension, is absurd. Karlsson is going to get paid, rightfully.

If casual and not so casual observers can identify that the Stars need help up front you can bet that the front office knows it too. They tried to sign John Tavares and they reportedly had interest in Paul Stastny. Other forwards are available and on the Stars' radar, and it doesn't take much of a leap of faith to think the Stars could pull off one of those deals if they're willing to discuss Karlsson.

Then again, if Erik Karlsson is available you have to try. It's the same idea as with Tavares. Karlsson may not be the forward the Stars need, but a rising tide lifts all ships. The ability to throw Karlsson or Klingberg on the ice for almost the entire game is formidable. The Anaheim Ducks rode Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer to a Stanley Cup doing it. Dallas is pushing for Karlsson with the same idea in mind.